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SANATORIUM OF HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE STATE RAILWAY

SANATORIUM OF HEALTH INSURANCE
COMPANY OF THE STATE RAILWAY

authors: Gustav Kulhavý, J. Tkalců,
M. Fikr

project 1928, realization 1930

The group of architects around experienced Gustav Kulhavý designed one
of the first functionalist buildings in town in 1928. The time, when architectural
modernism was rather rare in Trenčianske Teplice. The original sanatorium
provided spa treatment to the insured employees of Czechoslovak railways in 75
twin rooms. The building was transformed into a regional hospital in the
1940´s, like many other similar facility buildings of health insurance companies.
A commemorative plaque on the facade of the building informs that
a clinical rheumatology centre was established here in 1942. Nowadays, the
building is decaying and awaiting its further purpose. Despite its
functionalist features, the original building is rather a variation of the
contemporary architectural development. It is noticeable that the authors were
studying and working at the times of final stages of historism tendencies, so you
can observe rhythmical windows, details on cornices and windowsills, sensitive
ornamental usage of bricks on the facade. Nevertheless, there is also
a characteristic feature of functionalism: rooftop terraces. There used to
be a large roof terrace above the restaurant in the street-side wing
before the reconstruction, which served the hospital´s purposes. After the
extension with new floors, the building lost its architectural tenderness and
balance. From the street-side view, there is an attractive composition of
a corner curved inwards with an entrance into the shops on the ground
floor, which is crowned by a high towering bunting.